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YES: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Alpine, El Dorado
MAYBE: Riverside, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, San Benito, Merced, Madera, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Calveras, Amador
Quote:
Species Megahexura fulva Chamberlin, 1919
Specimen Code: MY00280; Determined By: J. Bond; Date Determined: 2004; Collected By: Bond & Hedin; Date(s) Collected: 12 Jan 2002; Coll Record Date: Jul 10, 2003; Locality Code: MCH02-012; Locality Name: 1.3 mi. NW jnct. w / Hwy 140; District: Mariposa; State/ Prov: California; Country: United States Of America; Elevation: 701 m; Loc Latitude: 37°30'14"N; Loc Longitude: 119°59'39"W
so, Megahexura fulva means tawny giant six tail spider _________________
Quote:
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:25 pm; edited 7 times in total
The webs of the larger, widespread Megahexura fulva of California to some extent resemble the webs of agelenids and occur in holes and crevices in the banks of ravines, usually under the shade of oak or conifer trees.
[pg 13 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
Quote:
Since C. longitarsus and M. fulva do not excavate burrows but simply occupy existing cavities and crevices, they primarily in - habit areas in banks where soil is less stable than that preferred by the other (burrowing) taxa .
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:58 pm; edited 3 times in total
Males of Hexura and Megahexura are first seen in the penultimate stadium during July and August and as sexual adults from then through November and even into the beginning of the next year. Little is known about the egg sacs of these species.
[pg 13 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
_________________
Quote:
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:59 pm; edited 13 times in total
Finally, there is the question of the interrelationships of the eight known mecicobothriid species. Each of the four genera recognized below has characters unique to it: the male cheliceral apophyses (figs. 40-42) and the prolateral apophysis on the male palpal tarsus of Mecicobothrium (figs. 44, 47), the expanded pleurites at the posterolateral corners of thecephalothorax of Megahexura (figs. 51, 53), the fused abdominal tergal plates of Hexura, and the four-segmented posterior lateral spinnerets of Hexurella (figs. 70-73).
[pg 12 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
Quote:
KEY TO GENERA OF MECICOBOTHRIIDAE
1. Abdomen with separate anterior and dorsal tergal
plates (as in fig. 37); anterior lateral spinnerets
two-segmented (as in fig. 52) .............2
Abdomen with anterior and dorsal tergal plates
fused into single scutum; anterior lateral spinnerets
one-segmented (fig. 59) or absent (fig.
6; Oregon and Washington ....... .Hexura
2. Posterior lateral spinnerets three-segmented (as in
fig. 36) ......................... 3
Posterior lateral spinnerets four-segmented (fig.
71); Arizona, California, and Baja California
....Hexurella
3. Cephalothorax with pronounced pleurital extensions
at posterolateral corners (figs. 51, 53);
California .................... Megahexura
Cephalothorax without pronounced pleurital extensions
at posterolateral corners (fig. 35);
Argentina ................. Mecicobothrium
[pg 16-17 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
Quote:
MEGAHEXURA KASTON
Megahexura Kaston, 1972, p. 60 (type species by monotypy Hexura fulva Chamberlin).
DIAGNOSIS: Specimens of Megahexura may be easily distinguished from other mecicobothriids by the expanded pleurites at the posterolateral corners of the carapace (figs. 51, 53).
DESCRIPTION: Medium-sized spiders (length up to 1 similar in appearance and structure to Mecicobothrium but differing as follows: Carapace with expanded pleurites at posterolateral corners. Anterior eye row procurved. Clypeus short, less than anterior median eye diameter. Chelicerae without apophyses, armed above with series of short spines in males. Metatarsi with distal preening comb on ventral surface. Epigynum with elongate receptacles. Tibia of male palp moderately incrassate, armed below with several heavy spines; tarsus without dis-tinct prolateral lobe but with shallow retrolateral invagination; conductor recessed behind
embolus.
Megahexura fulva (Chamberlin)
Figures 51-57
Hexura fulva Chamberlin, 1919, p. 1 (female holotype from Claremont, Los Angeles County, California, in MCZ, examined). Roewer, 1942, p. 210. Bonnet, 1957, p. 2207.
Megahexura fulva: Kaston, 1972, p. 60, figs. 140, 141; 1978, p. 64, figs. 157, 158. Gertsch, 1979, p. 120, fig. 5c.
DIAGNOSIS: The long straight embolus of the male (fig. 54) and extremely long receptacles of the female (fig. 57) are diagnostic of the
species.
FEMALE (Chatsworth): Total length, including chelicerae, 18.0; body as in figures 51, 52. Carapace with pars cephalica light reddish brown, with darker streaks running from side margins back to thoracic groove; pars thoracica dusky yellow, with brown streaks radiating from thoracic groove; eye tubercle black; conjunctival membranes white, bordering all margins. Chelicerae dark reddish brown, shining; fang black. Sternum brown around margins, yellowish in center; labium and endites mostly
brown, whitish at apex. Legs dull yellow to pale brown, without contrasting markings. Base color of abdomen white to yellow; venter unmarked;
sides and dorsum evenly speckled with fine purplish spots; tergal plates yellowish brown.
Carapace 5.6 long, 4.7 wide, suboval, smooth, bare except for few short hairs in ocular region and others margining edges of pars thoracica; pars cephalica subtriangular, moderately elevated, highest in ocular area; thoracic groove a short, deep, longitudinal fissure 0.5 long, situated back nearly two-thirds distance to straight posterior margin. Pleurites strongly developed posteriorly, bearing dorsal ridges.
Eyes set on small tubercle about one-third width of head at that point. Ratio of eyes, anterior lateral: anterior median: posterior lateral: posterior median, 20:9:14:11. Anterior eye row slightly narrower than posterior row, procurved; median eyes separated by two-thirds their diameter, somewhat nearer laterals. Posterior eye row slightly recurved; median eyes separated by slightly more than twice their diameter,
almost touching laterals. Lateral eyes of each side nearly contiguous. Median ocular quadrangle wider than long (2/1), narrowed in front (8/5).
Sternum 3.3 long, 2.7 wide, covered sparsely with black setae; four pairs of sigilla present (fig. 52), front pair greatly enlarged, nearly
touching below labium. Labium 1.1 long, 0.7 wide, rounded at apex, set with few black setae. Endites 2.1 long, 1.7 wide, clothed with. black setae scattered mostly along inner margins. Chelicerae 5.0 long, 1.6 wide at base, with thin row of black bristles above along inner margin; promargin with 14 stout teeth in single row, retromargin with small cluster of
about 14 tiny denticles opposite most proximal promarginal tooth (fig. 56).
Leg formula 4123. Legs of moderate length, rather thin, clothed with fine black setae and paired or single thin ventral spines. Palpal claw with series of about eight, paired tarsal claws with single row of about nine teeth; unpaired tarsal claws smooth or with one tooth. Measurements:
[see pdf]
Abdomen 9.0 long, 6.5 wide, suboval, cov-ered evenly with fine black setae; dorsum with narrow tergal plate situated above pedicel bearing
six long posterior setae and small tergal plate situated well above base bearing four long posterior setae. Posterior lateral spinnerets with three segments 1.0, 1.3, and 4.0 long.
Epigynum (fig. 57) with pair of long thin receptacles on each side.
MALE (Chatsworth): Total length, including chelicerae, 13.0; body as in figure 53. Coloration and structure essentially as in female except as noted; lengths and widths of: carapace 4.7, 4.0; sternum 2.8, 2.1; labium 0.8, 0.6; endites 1.8, 1.3; abdomen 6.0, 3.8. Ratio of eyes, anterior lateral: anterior median: posterior lateral: posterior median, 16:9:11:9. Median ocular quadrangle wider than long (17/, narrowed in front (34/21). Anterior pair of sigilla very large, fused at center. Chelicerae with
dorsal series of short, stout spines along inner margins; promargin with 18 black teeth of variable size, with largest near base of fang. Leg
formula 4132. Legs proportionally longer than those of female, with only legs III and IV provided with series of ventral spines; leg I bare except for weak spines at apex of metatarsus; leg II with weak spine pair at apex of tibia and one unpaired and two apical spine pairs at end of metatarsus. All tarsi pseudosegmented. Measurements:
[see pdf]
Palp (figs. 54, 55) with long straight conductor and thin embolus lying in groove at apex; tibia with four enlarged ventral spines at apex.
[pg 22 - 24 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
_________________
Quote:
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:09 pm; edited 7 times in total
MATERIAL EXAMINED:
California:
Alameda Co.: Canyon off Niles Canyon, Jan. 1, 1964 (V. Roth), Y. El Dorado Co.: 4 mi. W. Kyburz, Sept. 15, 1959 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), Y Y.
Fresno Co.: Wilsonia, Kings Canyon National Park, Sept. 13, 1959 (W. J.
Gertsch), Y. Kern Co.: 4 mi. E Glenville, Mar. 19, 1941 (S. and D. Mulaik), 9; Water Canyon, Tehachapi Mountains, June 10-Sept. 7, 1959-1967, in webs under rocks (W. R. Icenogle), juv. Y,9 i.
Los Angeles Co.: Chatsworth, Apr. 4-Oct. 23, 1966, in webs in crevice of ravine bank (W. R. Icenogle), d 6, 9 9; Claremont (MCZ), 9 (holotype); Eaton Canyon, Mar., 1913 (R. V. Chamberlin), 9; Eaton Canyon Park, Nov. 28-Dec. 8, 1967 (M. Thompson), d d; Glendora, July 15, 1944, golden oaks, 9; Gold Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, Jan.-May 7, 1952-1955, under rocks (R. X. Schick), Y 9; Limekiln Canyon, 2 mi. NW Granada Hills, Jan. 17, 1971, elevation 1000 ft., ravine bank (W. R. Icenogle), 9; Los Angeles, Nov.-Dec., 1975, around house (G. Chang, MCZ), d; Santa Monica Mountains, Jan.-Feb., 1953 (R. X. Schick), 9; Sunland, May 19, 1951 (T. Tice), 9; Tanbark Flats, San Gabriel Mountains, June 20, 1952 (W. J. Gertsch), 9 9; Topanga Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, Apr., 1952 (R. X. Schick), 9.
Madera Co.: Bass Lake, July 9, 1958 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9 9; 5 mi. N North Fork, July 9, 1958 (W. J. Getsch, V. Roth), juv. c, 9 9.
Mariposa Co.: 0.5 mi. NW Mariposa, Oct. 14-15, 1969. elevation 2000 ft., in duff (W. R. Icenogle), 9 9; 3 mi. SW Mariposa, Oct. 14, 1970, elevation 2000 ft., in crevice of bank (W. R. Icenogle), 9; Wawona Camp, Yosemite National Park, Sept. 17, 1941 (W. Ivie), 9.
Monterey Co.: 14 mi. S Big Sur, Dec. 22, 1953 (V. Roth), 9 9; Carmel, Feb. 9, 1967 (V. Roth), 9; 1 mi. N Carmel, Dec. 21, 1953 (V. Roth), c, 9 9; Carmel Hill Gate, Feb. 10, 1967 (V. Roth), 9; Cypress Point, 17 Mile Drive, Oct. 1, 1938 (W. Pearce), 9; Hastings Natural History Reserve (Linsdale), 9; Pacific Grove, Apr., 1909 (R. V. Chamberlin), juv. d, 9 9; Redwood Canyon, 4 mi. S Gorda, Apr. 2, 1960 (W. J. Gertsch, W. Ivie,
R. Schrammel), 9.
Orange Co.: Laguna Beach, July, 1931 (R. V. Chamberlin, W. Ivie), juv. d6, 99; Salt Creek, 1.5 mi. N Dana Point, Nov. 12-Dec. 6, 1968-1969, elevation 1000 ft., in crevice in bank (W. R. Icenogle), 9 9.
Riverside Co.: Idyllwild, San Jacinto Mountains, June 17-18, 1952 (W. J. Gertsch), juv. d; June 18, 1952 (R. X. Schick), 9; 3 mi. N Idyllwild, July 1, 1956 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), juv. d; 2.5 mi. S Murrieta, Apr. 11-May 10, 1977, elevation 1200 ft., under rocks below chaparral on canyon side (W. R. Icenogle), juv. 6, 9.
San Bernadino Co.: Mill Creek Canyon, San Bernardino Mountains, May 21-June 18, 1969-1970, elevation 6000 ft., under rocks (W. R. Icenogle),
9 9; Mountain Home Creek, Aug. 13, 1959 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), juv. d.
San Diego Co.: 4 mi. E Fallbrook, Sep. 20, 1971, in web in hole in ravine bank (W. R. Icenogle), 9; 2.5 mi. NE Julian, Nov. 8, 1971, elevation
4000 ft., in web in crevice of bank (W. R. Icenogle), 9; Mt. Palomar, July 26, 1931 (R. V. Chamberlin, W. Ivie), juv. cc, 9; June 30, 1956, elevation 3000-5000 ft. (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9; July 15, 1970, elevation 4000 ft., in crevice in bank (W. R. Icenogle), 9; May 16-Dec. 21, 1970-1971 (B. Azevedo), d , 9 9; Pine Valley, Mar. 29, 1960 (W. J. Gertsch, W. Ivie, R. Schrammel), 9.
San Luis Obispo Co.: Cambria, Nov. 16, 1937 (0. Bryant), 9; Feb. 7, 1967, pine duff (V. Roth), d; Reservoir Canyon, San Luis Obispo, Aug.
15, 1959 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9; San Luis Obispo, Aug. 3, 1931 (R. V. Chamberlin), juv. d.
Santa Barbara Co.: Santa Barbara, Mar., 1931 (R. V. Chamberlin), juv. d, 9 9.
Santa Clara Co.: San Juan Hot Springs, July 30, 1931 (R. V. Chamberlin, W. Ivie), juv. cd.
Santa Cruz Co.: Ben Lomond, July 6, 1956 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9; Boulder Creek, Dec. 23, 1953 (V. Roth), 9 9; Felton, Apr. 3,
1960 (W. J. Gertsch, W. Ivie, R. Schrammel), 9 9; Mt. Madonna, E Watsonville, July 4, 1958 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), juv. d.
Tulare Co.: near Ash Mountain, Sequoia National Park, July 5-19, 1956-1958, elevation 3700 ft. (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), , 9; near Giant
Forest, Sequoia National Park, Apr. 2, 1955 (J. MacSwain, M. Wasbauer, P. Hurd), 9; Johnsondale, Kern River, July 4, 1956 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), juv. 6T, 9 9; 6 mi. W Johnsondale, Sept. 15, 1959 (W. J. Gertsch, V.
Roth), 9 9; near Main Camp, Sequoia National Park, July 5, 1956, elevation 5500 ft. (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), juv. cd, 9 9; Quaking Aspen Camp, Sept. 9, 1959 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9 9; Soda Creek, near Nelson Camp, Sept. 14, 1959 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9.
Tuolumne Co.: Tuttletown, July 8, 1958 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), 9 9.
Ventura Co.: 7 mi. SE Carpinteria, July 2, 1958 (W. J. Gertsch,
V. Roth), juv. 6, 9 9; Mt. Pinos, July 31, 1961 (V. and B. Roth), juv. d; Wheeler Springs, July 2, 1958 (W. J. Gertsch, V. Roth), juv. d.
DISTRIBUTION: Coast ranges and Sierras of southern California (fig. 33).
[pg 24 - 26 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
Quote:
the only documented sympatry among the species would be between members of the two basic branches of the family (Hexurella rupicola and Megahexura fulva at Murrieta, California, figs. 33, 34) rather than within either branch.
[pg 12 of pdf]
http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/5425/1/N2687.pdf
(see Coyle 1974 for complete locality information;
p. 3
Quote:
A. erebus — Wilbur Springs, Mariposa (1),
Quote:
The most diverse association of burrowdwelling
mygalomorphs we have observed with
any Aliatypus species is at Mariposa, where th e
following five species (in four families) were common:
A. erebus, A . californicus, Hebestatis theveneti,
Calisoga longitarsus, and Megahexura fulva. These mixed species populations of mygalomorphs
can be very dense . Near Calavera s
Reservoir four adults and 13 juveniles of A. californicus,
two adults and two juveniles of Aptostichus,
two adults and six juveniles of Actinoxia,
and one C. longitarsus adult were collected in
one 2 x 4 m area.
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:25 pm; edited 14 times in total
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:43 pm; edited 1 time in total
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
William S. Burroughs The Western Lands
Last edited by cacoseraph on Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:17 pm; edited 2 times in total
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
info updated
including MASSIVE species collection records _________________
Quote:
There may be people who like centipedes. I have seen people handling tarantulas and scorpions, but never a centipede handler. I would regard such a person with deep suspicion...Now what sort of man or woman or monster would stroke a centipede on its underbelly "And here is my big good centipede." If such a man exists, I say kill him without more ado. He is a traitor to the human race.
As far as I have been able to tell any locations referencing Dana Point and or Salt Creek have been developed. _________________ - Kevin aka What
Oderint dum metuant My photos
They make 'funnel' webs under rocks on semi-damp ground after the first rains of the year. It is getting close to the time when they are no longer active.
Supposed to be VERY hard to spot as the webs are usually coated in dirt/substrate.
Edit:
Found mainly in canyons, usually thickly vegetated and hard to reach.
_________________ - Kevin aka What
Oderint dum metuant My photos
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; Oregon and Washington ....... .Hexura
